Animated K-pop Adventure Earns Historic Chart Success

Quick Smiles:

• Animated K-pop film inspires chart-topping global hits
• Soundtrack sets Billboard and streaming records
• Cultural pride and creativity celebrated by fans worldwide

This summer, Netflix’s animated fantasy “KPop Demon Hunters” is proving that feel-good stories and electrifying tunes can rule the world. While the film follows the secret adventures of dueling K-pop groups with supernatural origins, its real-world soundtrack is making headlines of its own.

Six songs from the movie have stormed onto Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, with two singles captivating listeners and soaring into the top 10. “Golden,” the anthem performed in the film by the fictional girl group HUNTR/X—and brought to life by vocal talents EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI—holds onto the number two position for a second week with an amazing 28.9 million streams.

Meanwhile, the Saja Boys’ track “Your Idol,” voiced by artists Andrew Choi, Neckwav, Danny Chung, Kevin Woo, and samUIL Lee, climbed into the ninth spot after garnering 19 million streams this week. For everyone involved, these songs mark their very first entries in the Hot 100’s top 10—a testament to the growing global love for K-pop and animated storytelling alike.

As the “KPop Demon Hunters” soundtrack keeps its number one spot on the Soundtrack chart, it sets a new milestone: this is the first film since Disney’s “Encanto” to land two songs in the top 10. Just a few years back, “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” hit No. 1, while “Surface Pressure” peaked at No. 8, showing the power of vibrant soundtracks to uplift and unite audiences.

The show’s success isn’t just musical—it’s smashing streaming records, too. Fans learned from Netflix’s official X post that “KPop Demon Hunters” is now the streaming platform’s most-watched original animated feature ever. [EMBED TWEET: https://x.com/netflix/status/1950270100080120203]

Director Maggie Kang recently discussed the film’s creative roots in an interview, highlighting the inspiration drawn from influential Korean women and shamanistic folklore. “When we were thinking about the legacy of these hunters, we were like, ‘Why don’t we just put that into, or play off of, the shaman women from Korean culture?’” she said. “Shamans in Korea are actually mostly women, and they’re dressed in men’s garb. There are these amazing women who threw the first concerts, where they sang and danced to protect their village and their communities. And we were like, ‘This is such a great idea.’”

She added, “There are things we’ve thought of while making this one. There are a lot of questions that are answered, but not fully. I think there are a lot of pockets that we can explore.” The creative team’s passion for thoughtful storytelling and cultural heritage has clearly touched millions, sparking calls for a sequel and widespread celebration online.

With its blend of catchy music, memorable animation, and heartfelt nods to Korean culture, “KPop Demon Hunters” is lighting up screens, playlists, and spirits everywhere.

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